Fashion students work with local brands to highlight sustainability

Students from across the University of Bolton’s Fashion degree have come together to create a show that highlights the importance of ethical and sustainable practices across the sector.

Working with local brands and activists, the students have designed three collections using a variety of unused or ‘deadstock’ fabric, which would otherwise end up in landfill. The final products will be available to view online as part of the Manchester Science Festival in February 2021.

One of the collections has been developed in partnership with Urban Bliss, a local Manchester online retailer. Students responded to a brief from them, using deadstock denim to provide fresh and contemporary designs out of what would be waste material.

Jordan Lloyd, who is currently in his second-year on the Fashion degree, is one of the students who worked on the project. Along with his coursemates, he found inspiration in 80s and 90s fashion to develop a collection which would speak to the Urban Bliss customer, all the while having ethical motives at its heart; an approach he thinks is incredibly important as a designer.

“I personally like the process of learning new things with every project and researching other cultures, different concepts and themes to give you academic knowledge to use in the design process.

“Research into sustainability and a sustainable approach also offers extra academic learning with me discovering how much of an impact certain sectors of the fashion industry make,” Jordan said.

Moses Quartey is in his final-year and worked on a more modern version of a jean jacket for the
show. Responding to this project has allowed him to hone his professional strengths on a live client brief, as well as develop his personal understanding of the role the fashion industry plays in sustainability.

“I developed academically in terms of my fashion knowledge and through research I was aware of many more designers who compliment my own style. The process has also made me more aware of things such as sustainability, greenwashing and other social issues when it comes to fashion,” he said.

A fundamental part of the Fashion degree at the University of Bolton, students are encouraged to embed sustainability wherever possible; right through from the design and material sourcing process, to production. They’ve learnt through these collaborative projects the difficulties faced as designers to be as ethical as possible when completing briefs.

Speaking about the importance of building ethical and sustainable practices into the degree programme, Lecturer, Lindsey Banks, said: “As we move towards a climate emergency, we cannot overlook the mass depletion of natural resources used in the production of the fashion industry at large. It has never been more important to consider the longevity, practicality and lifecycle of the garments that we designed.”

Find out more about Fashion at the University of Bolton, which is ranked in the Top 50 best UK universities in The Guardian 2021 league table. We’re proud to be known for our teaching quality, supportive learning environment and award-winning student services; welcome to #UniAsItShouldBe in Greater Manchester.

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*Complete University Guide in 2021, 2020 and 2019, North West
**The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide in 2021 and 2020